Moistening device for tapes, labels, envelopes, and the like



A. P. KRUEGER 26,566

MOISTENING DEVICE FOR TAPES, LABELS, ENVELOPES, AND THE LIKE Dec. 31, 1940.

Filed June '7, 1939 2 SheetsSheet l l I I l I I 1 I I I WW w Dec. 31, 1940. p KRUEGER 2,226,566

MOISTENING DEVICE FOR TAPES, LABELS, ENVELOPES, AND THE-LIKE Filed June 7, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 31, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MOISTENING DEVICE FOR TAPES, LABELS, ENVELOPES, AND THE LIKE Application June 7, 1939, Serial No. 277,872

7 Claims.

This invention relates to moistening devices for tapes, labels, envelopes or the like, and relates particularly to a combination moistener which may be used with several types of materials. The improvements herein shown are not limited in this respect, however, but may be employed in a moistener designed for one type of material only. For example, the improved features illustrated may be employed in a device for moistening gummed tape or strip material, or in a device for mcistening labels or the flaps of envelopes.

In the past devices have'been employed which have provision for supporting a roll of tape which may be drawn from the roll over a moistening element, so that it is ready to be applied to a package, for example, and which devices also have provision for moistening labels or the flaps of envelopes. Such devices have, however, usually been bulky in size, and thus require a considerable amount of space on a desk or table.

It is contemplated in the present invention to provide a device which may be capable of a variety of uses, and which at the same time is only slightly larger, if any larger, than the device would be if adapted for one use only. In addition to the provision of a compact device of this character, certain improvements are contemplated in the individual parts of the apparatus, such, for example, as the tape-guiding means which guides the tape to the moistening means, and also in the means for holding the material in contact with the moistening element.

One object of the invention is the provision of a compact moistening device which may be emplayed with a variety of different articles.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a relatively small and compact combination moistener which may be employed, for example, in connection with gummed tape, and also in connection with labels or flaps of envelopes of such a character that the device will require very little room upon a support, and will at the same time be efficient and convenient in operation.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character described having an. improved guide or chute for guiding the gummed tape from the roll from which it is supplied to the mcistening element.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a novel moistening couple comprising a moisture-carrying element by which the moisture is applied to the gummed surface of the work, and a cooperating pressure member which serves to hold the work against the moisture-applying element.

To these and other ends the invention consists in the novel features and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed- In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a moistening device embodying my improvements;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the tape guide or chute;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a modified from of moistener;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view on line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of a still further modification;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view on line ll-ll of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 12 is a sectional view on line |2-l2 of Fig. 11.

To illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention, I have shown in Figs. 1 to 6 of the drawings a moistening device comprising a body member H3 in the form of a hollow vessel open at the top. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, this vessel is of generally rectangular form, but has at one side an extension ii, so that the dimension at this side is somewhat greater than the dimension of the rest of the body. At the corners are provided legs or supports E2 of pyramidal form which may carry on their lower surfaces rubber tips or buttons l3 designed to support the body from a desk or table.

The space within the hollow body is divided into two compartments by an L-shaped partition the portions of which may be designated by the numerals M and I5, this partition cooperating with the extended portion H of the body to provide a relatively long narrow well [6 within which may be supported the roll of gummed tape 11. The remaining space within the body member It comprises a water reservoir it, this reservoir, as. shown, having an L It which extends in front of the well it for containing the roll of tape. It will be apparent, therefore, that when the reservoir i8 is supplied with water a part of this supply will extend into the L It in front of the roll of tape.

A moistening element comprising in this instance a brush it is supported at the forward end of the reservoir and designed to extend substantially across the same, and to also extend across the front portion of the L l 9. The base 2| of the brush may bear at the bottom against the partition l5, and also against an upstanding shoulder 22 provided across the reservoir l8 in line with the partition l5.

A cover 23, which may be conveniently formed of sheet metal, is provided for the reservoir l8, this cover having a projecting portion 24 of triangular shape, which will serve to open the flaps of envelopes when the device is used as an envelope moistener. This cover is provided with side flanges 25 which may be turned inwardly slightly, as shown at 26, so that the in-turned portions may engage below rivets 21 secured in the outer wall of the reservoir and in the partition M adjacent the top thereof. This construction provides that the cover may be slidably engaged with the body member ID and removed therefrom by a reverse sliding operation, so that access may be had to the interior of the reservoir to fill the same or to remove and replace the brush, if this is desired. It will, of course, be held against removal upwardly by the engagement of the turned edge 26 below the projecting ends of the rivets 21.

I have provided a novel means for causing the lower surface of the work, such as labels or envelope flaps, for example, to be held in engagement with the moistening element or brush 29 when they are passed over the cover 23 in a direction toward the brush. This means consists in the form shown of a plurality of individual wires or pressure members, and may, as illustrated, conveniently take the form of a coiled spring 38. The spring may be held in the proper position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, by being secured to a rod 3| which passes axially through the coil of wire, and which at its inner end may be secured by riveting or other suitable means to a lug or ear 32 upstanding from the cover plate 23. This lug 32 in the form shown is formed integrally with the cover 23, and consists of a piece of the cover turned upwardly so as to stand in a vertical position with respect to the cover. It will be noted that with this construction the pressure member contacts with the moistening element 20 along a plurality of spaced contact lines or points, and does not have a continuous contact therewith. This insures against an excessive film of water being present between the edge of the brush and the cooperating pressure element, so that the proper amount of moisture will be applied to the work. In this particular form of device it is assumed that the work will be gummed envelope flaps, and it will be noted that the rod '3] within the spring member 30 is supported at one end only, that is, at the inner end, so that the envelope flaps may be passed between the pressure member and the moistening element while the envelopes themselves will move at the side of the body member and will not be contacted by the moistening'element. It will be obvious that the pressure member is in effect a slotted element at the portion thereof which bears against the brush 2B, the bearing surface thereof being formed by the material between the slots, and that the making of this device in the form of a coil of wire, while an advantageous and convenient method of manufacture, is not essential.

To effect the guiding of the gummed tape to the moistening element 20, which, as stated, also extends in front of the well I6, I have secured within the upper forward portion of this well a tape guide or chute 35, shown more particularly in Figs. 1, 3 and 6. This chute may comprise a single piece of sheet metal having its side edges folded over and brought substantially into contact along the line 36 to form a closed chute or fiat tubular guide through which the tape is adapted to be drawn. As shown, the forward edge of this chute is disposed adjacent the rear edge of the brush 20 so that the tape issuing from the chute will have its lower surface in contact with the brush. Also the lower edge of the chute, as shown at 3?, may extend forward to a slight extent beyond the upper side thereof. In the upper wall of the chute is provided a notched or cut-out portion 38 so that the finger of the operator may contact the back or ungummed surface of the tape at this point and pull the latter forwardly.

The material of the lower wall of the chute is cut away at its central portion, leaving a notch or recess 33 and the material upon each side of this recess may be folded over a pair of sleeve members 39 supported upon a rivet 40 secured in the side walls of the well l6. Also supported upon this rivet and disposed within the notch or opening 38 is a roller M, which is freely rotatable upon the rivet 40. It will be seen that the roller 4!, being disposed within the notch 38, is within the outline of the chute member and requires no space longitudinally of the chute in addition to that required by the chute itself. The chute may be held downwardly against the partition l5, as shown in Fig. 3, by pins 42 secured in the wall of the well It and contacting with the upper surface of the chute.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the roll of tape ll may be dropped loosely into the well It and will rest on the bottom thereof. The end of the tape is brought about the roller M and threaded through the flat tubular chute 35. When it is desired to use a portion of moistened tape, the

operator places his finger within the notch 38 on the roller 4! and slides the tape forwardly over the brush 20. As soon as a small portion of the tape protrudes from the front edge of the chute, he then grasps this portion with his fingers and draws off the length desired. During this operation the tape will be drawn off with its lower surface in contact with the moistening brush 20 so that it will be ready for use. When a sufiicient length has been drawn off, such length may be torn from the body of the tape along the upper front edge 43 of the chute.

In Figs. 7, 8 and 9 of .the drawings, I have shown a somewhat modified form of moistening couple. In this instance it is assumed that the device is to be used with labels or the like, although the improvements may be applied to devices for moistening other articles. As shown, there is provided a body member or water reservoir 45 having a cover it and a moistening element or brush 4? is supported within the reservoir and projects therefrom between the forward edge thereof and the forward edge of the cover 46. A coiled wire pressure member 48 is mounted above the brush and adapted to bear thereon, this member having its ends supported by screws or the like 49, which in this instance are threaded into the side walls 50 of the reservoir 45. With this arrangement the vertical position of the coiled wire pressure member or spring 48 may be adjusted relatively to the brush 4! by turning the screws 49 either in or out as the case may be, depending upon the direction in which adjustment is desired.

In some instances it may be that the spring or coiled wire member 48 will tend to lift upwardly from the brush and not bear thereon with sufficient firmness. This is particularly apt to aacascc be the case at the central portion of this member, or at a point remote from the ends at which it is secured. I have, therefore, shown a channelshaped member i designed to overlie and embrace the coiled wire member 48, which channel member may be supported upon the screws 49, and serve to prevent the member 48 from being displaced in an upward direction. When the backing member 5! is not used, the spring will ordinarily be tensioned to prevent its displacement away from the brush.

In Figs. 10, 11 and 12 of the drawings I have shown a further modification of my invention which illustrates a body member or reservoir 55 having a sheet metal cover Elii, and provided with a moistening couple consisting of a brush or, the like 5'! having its base bearing against a support 58 within the reservoir, and a tensioned coiled wire or spring member 59 surrounding a rod to, the ends of which red are supported in ears or lugs Bi comprising Lip-turned edges of the sheet metal cover 56, the rod serving to space these lugs apart against the tension of the spring 59. It will be seen that in this case the pressure or coiled wire member 5?] is supported at both ends instead of one end, as shown in Fig. 1, although it is supported by the cover 56 and upon an interior rod in a manner similar to that shown in Fig. 1. The device shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12 is for use with such articles as labels, for example, where they can be passed through a closed space formed by the moistening element and the pressure member.

In this instance, as shown particularly in Fig. 10,

i the reservoir 55 is slightly larger at its front portion, as at 62, so that the pressure member 59, which extends substantially the full width of the cover 56, will not be Wider than the brush. That is, as the receptacle is somewhat wider at the point where the side walls 62 project laterally from the side walls rearwardly of these portions, the brush will extend substantially the full width of the cover 5t. Moreover, the shoulders formed at the rear ends of the portions 62 may also contact with the flanges 63 on the cover 56 to form a stop for the cover when it is slipped upon the receptacle, and correctly position this cover. It will be obvious that while this particular form of moistener is for use more especially with labels,

-. stickers or the like, the novel principles embodied therein may be employed in moisteners adapted for other purposes.

It will also be obvious that the moistening device shown in Figs. 1 to 6 is a very compact combination moistener in which the well for the roll of tape is positioned laterally of the water reservoir, although it projects slightly rearwardly of the latter. It will also be obvious that the brush or moistening element it extends across the interior of the body member from the wall on the outside of the tape well to a position adjacent the wall upon the opposite side of the water reservoir. As in the instance shown, the device is adapted to be used for the flaps of envelopes or the like, as well as gummed tape. The brush as shown in Fig. 1 does not extend to the extreme outside wall of the water reservoir, and to hold the brush in this position, and also to cover this part of the reservoir, the cover plate 23 is provided with a projecting corner 34. It will, of course, be obvious that the brush may extend entirely across the water reservoir, and in that case the projecting corner 3 s of the cover plate 23 would be omitted.

While I have shown and described some preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that it is not to be limited to all of the details shown, but is capable of modification and variation within the spirit of the invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A moistening couple comprising a suitably supported moisture-carrying element and coopcrating guide means adjacent the outer portion of said element, said means comprising a rodextending along theouter edge of said element and a spring coiied about said rod.

2. A moistening couple comprising a suitably supported moisture-carrying element and map erating guide means adjacent the outer portion of said element, saidmeans comprising a coiled spring member extending across the moistening element adjacent the outer portion thereof.

3. A moistening couple comprising a suitably supported moisture-carrying element and cooperating guide means adjacent the outer portion of said element, said means comprising a coiled spring member extending across the moistening element adjacent the outer portion thereof, and means for supporting said member at its ends only.

A moi-sterling couple comprising a suitably supported moisture-carrying element and cooperatlng guide means adajcent the outer portion or" said element, said means comprising a coiled spring member extending across the moistening element adjacent the outer portion thereof, and

means for supporting said member at one end only.

5. A moistening couple comprising a suitably supported moisture-carrying element and cooperating guide means adjacent the outer portion of said element, said means comprising a coiled spring member extending across the moistening element adjacent the outer portion thereof, and means for supporting said member for adjustment toward and away from, said moistening element.

6. A moistening couple comprising a suitably supported moisture-carrying element and c0operating guide means adjacent the outer portion of said element, said means comprising a coiled spring member extending across the moistening element adjacent the outer portion thereof, and means for holding said member against displacement awayfrom said moistening element.

7. A moistening device comprising a moistening element, means for supporting a roll of tape, and tape-guiding means between said element and supporting means, said guiding means comprising a flat chute member terminating at a point adjacent the moistening element, the bottom member of said chute having the side portions thereof adjacent the rear edge turned over in roll formation, and a roller mounted between said portions.

ALFRED P. KRUEGER. 

